2 hours ago, KyleofColumbus said:

I believe concrete, was a bit too dark to tell. I'll drive through the area again and get photos for everyone. 

Shame

6 hours ago, KyleofColumbus said:

I believe concrete, was a bit too dark to tell. I'll drive through the area again and get photos for everyone. 

 

Yeah they are concrete, but the upgrades will do wonders for that stretch. And new roads will follow!

8 hours ago, columbus17 said:

Granite curbs or concrete?

 

The city can't even stick to their own streetscape guidelines and consistently install granite curbs downtown, so I wouldn't expect them here (unfortunately)

 

Infill near State Street 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So many infrastructure projects around Franklinton these days...

This last one shows new curb and sidewalk work has moved further west- nearly reaching the Mill/Gift block of W State

 

 

Progress check on the Westrich project at Rich and McDowell 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 550 W Broad project filed a final site plan permit on Friday. Hopefully that project gets started shortly after it’s approved 

1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

The 550 W Broad project filed a final site plan permit on Friday. Hopefully that project gets started shortly after it’s approved 

Is that the Marker project? Penciling deals is hard right now on ground up - good for them!

50 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

Is that the Marker project? Penciling deals is hard right now on ground up - good for them!

No this is where a 1 story building currently is. It was proposed by Grateful Development Partners, but not sure if they are still the group proposing this, but it is a 5 story with retail and a parking garage 

3 hours ago, VintageLife said:

No this is where a 1 story building currently is. It was proposed by Grateful Development Partners, but not sure if they are still the group proposing this, but it is a 5 story with retail and a parking garage 

FWIW, per the developer website the site is still under the projects tab with an estimated start date of spring 2025. Though the website is very basic and does not necessarily inspire confidence.

Edited March 31Mar 31 by clippersandyank

 

Gravity Greenhouse 

 

 

 

 

 

Had a chance a little earlier today to get a few looks at some of the current infrastructure upgrades being built along W State St.  

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy they're not burying the utility poles. Also, side note can we have tree's and some landscaping? A bit too much concrete. 

16 minutes ago, KyleofColumbus said:

Crazy they're not burying the utility poles. Also, side note can we have tree's and some landscaping? A bit too much concrete. 

Apparently AEP can’t afford to bury lines, it might cut into their executive bonuses and their ability to cut down random city trees, that don’t need cut down. 
 

I would guess there will be greenery but it wouldn’t be added until after they finish all the infrastructure work. 

Looks like there’s formwork that may create tree pits where there are no overhead utilities. 

 

Got a few quick ones from the Westrich project while at Dodge Park earlier 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick look at one of the new ramps rising as part of the Downtown Ramp Up project as it crosses over a flooded Scioto River before it crosses over the edge of Dodge Park

 

 

 

100-year-old Franklinton building could become CAPA performance venue in deal with the city of Columbus 

 

"The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts is working with the city to take over management of the Idea Foundry in Franklinton, and operate a performance space in the 100-year-old building.

 

CAPA would manage the old factory under an agreement with the city, which controls the building through the city's real-estate nonprofit Columbus Next Generation ("NextGen"). Using city money, NextGen in December paid $5 million for the Idea Foundry and $2.5 million for Gravity Experience Park, sort of an adult playground next door on West State Street.

 

City officials offered few details about the purchase at the time, but this week acknowledged the city bought the building to keep it as civic space including potential CAPA performance space.

 

Under a proposal crafted by CAPA and Hannah Jones, the city's deputy director of community development, a nonprofit organization would be formed to manage the building, an arrangement akin to the Lincoln Theatre, which is owned by the city and managed by CAPA.

 

In addition to CAPA's role, the proposal for the Idea Foundry includes:

 

• Restoring a retail presence near the main entrance, where a coffee shop once operated, "to improve the level of vibrancy within the building."

 

• Developing "the land on the west side of the parcel," now occupied by the experience park, in partnership with the New Albany development firm Grateful Development and the job-training organization SkillArc.

 

• Potentially developing an outdoor rooftop space, something Bandar said has long been planned."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2025/04/16/changes-planned-for-franklintons-idea-foundry-under-capa-plan/83084471007/

 

 

1 hour ago, Luvcbus said:

 

 

100-year-old Franklinton building could become CAPA performance venue in deal with the city of Columbus 

 

"The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts is working with the city to take over management of the Idea Foundry in Franklinton, and operate a performance space in the 100-year-old building.

 

CAPA would manage the old factory under an agreement with the city, which controls the building through the city's real-estate nonprofit Columbus Next Generation ("NextGen"). Using city money, NextGen in December paid $5 million for the Idea Foundry and $2.5 million for Gravity Experience Park, sort of an adult playground next door on West State Street.

 

City officials offered few details about the purchase at the time, but this week acknowledged the city bought the building to keep it as civic space including potential CAPA performance space.

 

Under a proposal crafted by CAPA and Hannah Jones, the city's deputy director of community development, a nonprofit organization would be formed to manage the building, an arrangement akin to the Lincoln Theatre, which is owned by the city and managed by CAPA.

 

In addition to CAPA's role, the proposal for the Idea Foundry includes:

 

• Restoring a retail presence near the main entrance, where a coffee shop once operated, "to improve the level of vibrancy within the building."

 

• Developing "the land on the west side of the parcel," now occupied by the experience park, in partnership with the New Albany development firm Grateful Development and the job-training organization SkillArc.

 

• Potentially developing an outdoor rooftop space, something Bandar said has long been planned."

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/real-estate/2025/04/16/changes-planned-for-franklintons-idea-foundry-under-capa-plan/83084471007/

 

 

Not completely against this, if it doesn’t kick out all the other maker space. I don’t have access to the article, but would this be just for CAPA or would it maintain the spaces as is and add a place for CAPA?? 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Not completely against this, if it doesn’t kick out all the other maker space. I don’t have access to the article, but would this be just for CAPA or would it maintain the spaces as is and add a place for CAPA?? 

 

I have access to the article; it sounds like the latter. CAPA would take over management of the Idea Foundry and use some of the spaces in the building for their own performances that would seat in the range of 25-150 people. The deal also includes the Gravity Experience Park next door. It sounds like CAPA along with the Idea Foundry management have some lofty ideas for the property, including restoring a retail presence near the main entrance, developing the experience park (into what is unknown, it doesn't specify in the article), and developing a rooftop space on top of the existing building.

4 minutes ago, CMHOhio said:

 

I have access to the article; it sounds like the latter. CAPA would take over management of the Idea Foundry and use some of the spaces in the building for their own performances that would seat in the range of 25-150 people. The deal also includes the Gravity Experience Park next door. It sounds like CAPA along with the Idea Foundry management have some lofty ideas for the property, including restoring a retail presence near the main entrance, developing the experience park (into what is unknown, it doesn't specify in the article), and developing a rooftop space on top of the existing building.

That all sounds great and even though the gravity experience park is cool, I think another building in there would be awesome. Thanks for the info 

44 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

That all sounds great and even though the gravity experience park is cool, I think another building in there would be awesome. Thanks for the info 

I was thinking the same. While I like the energy and life the experience park brings, I'm sure it can be replicated on any one of the empty lots that remain around that area of Franklinton, assuming the owner(s) of said lots are amicable to the idea.

They need to focus on their performance hall!

I hope that's still in the works! I thought there were some milestone fundraising goals that they had to hit in order for it to move forward...

1 hour ago, columbus17 said:

They need to focus on their performance hall!

 

That's not CAPA.  CAPA is not involved in that at all. It's a symphony project only. They may handle the ticketing but they aren't raising the funds for construction. 

 

[Which has resulted in some arts related drama. Some organizations/folks feel slighted at not being included in the discussion or being considered for having room for space for them. They dream of a mega facility for more types of performance and not just symphony/symphony adjacent spaces]

26 minutes ago, CMHOhio said:

I thought there were some milestone fundraising goals that they had to hit in order for it to move forward...

 

They have to provide their funding plan to the city by June to maintain the land agreement.

 

But also assuming that there's probably no other organization clamoring for the spot with a viable plan, I'm sure there will be extensions if needed. 

58 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

Which has resulted in some arts related drama. Some organizations/folks feel slighted at not being included in the discussion or being considered for having room for space for them. They dream of a mega facility for more types of performance and not just symphony/symphony adjacent spaces]

I kind of get this, and I think it would help to get the funding. I also can understand why the symphony wants the space for just themselves though. They won’t have to work around other schedules and can improve their programming. 
 

If the other organizations want a space, they should all come together and build something on the north side of the peninsula. Although I am still holding out hope for an aquarium in that spot ha. 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

I kind of get this, and I think it would help to get the funding. I also can understand why the symphony wants the space for just themselves though. They won’t have to work around other schedules and can improve their programming. 
 

If the other organizations want a space, they should all come together and build something on the north side of the peninsula. Although I am still holding out hope for an aquarium in that spot ha. 

 

Yeah. It's a catch 22. But I too would prefer a separate arts complex for non Orchestra related arts. 

 

It's really underappreciated how great the Riffe Center is and the fact that such an asset was integrated into state offices speaks well of leadership at the time. The bad part of it is it lacks distinct visibility and a destination feel that other local theaters have. 

 

I'd love another theater complex and art space on the Peninsula, downtown, or Franklinton. 

 

I'd settle for a bunch of sculptures along the river from Confluence Park to Scioto Audubon. 

 

I'm still holding out for something cool for Wexner's private art collection 🤞 I also have a secret desire for Mott's Military Museum to become an extention of the Vets Museum on the Peninsula 

Edited April 16Apr 16 by DTCL11

1 hour ago, DTCL11 said:

 

It's really underappreciated how great the Riffe Center is and the fact that such an asset was integrated into state offices speaks well of leadership at the time. The bad part of it is it lacks distinct visibility and a destination feel that other local theaters have. 

 

 

Today, after 20 years in Columbus I learned there is a theater in what I thought was just a state office building. So yes, not super visible, is there a marquee or anything outside? Maybe I'm just that oblivious... 

16 minutes ago, 17thState said:

Today, after 20 years in Columbus I learned there is a theater in what I thought was just a state office building. So yes, not super visible, is there a marquee or anything outside? Maybe I'm just that oblivious... 

 

Not just one, 4. 2 Prescenium and 2 Box. And no marquee. Just some poster spots outside of it. Available Light and The Contemporary (CATCO) operate there the most. 

 

The Davidson Theater. This state-of-the-art, 903-seat facility opened in 1989 as part of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts. The Capitol Theatre offers intimate performance experiences including CAPA's presentations of comedy, music, dance, theater, family entertainment, and cultural programming.

 

Also included in the Riffe Center Theatre Complex are 3 studio-style theatre spaces: Studio One, a 250-seat flexible space; Studio Two, an arena-style black box theatre; and Studio Three, a dance space/meeting room seating 100

 

(Sorry for the photos quality. I pulled from online). 

 

Edit: There does appear to be a Marquee but I don't recall it ever working? 

 

 

Edited April 17Apr 17 by DTCL11

1 hour ago, DTCL11 said:

 

Not just one, 4. 2 Prescenium and 2 Box. And no marquee. Just some poster spots outside of it. Available Light and The Contemporary (CATCO) operate there the most. 

 

The Davidson Theater. This state-of-the-art, 903-seat facility opened in 1989 as part of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts. The Capitol Theatre offers intimate performance experiences including CAPA's presentations of comedy, music, dance, theater, family entertainment, and cultural programming.

 

Also included in the Riffe Center Theatre Complex are 3 studio-style theatre spaces: Studio One, a 250-seat flexible space; Studio Two, an arena-style black box theatre; and Studio Three, a dance space/meeting room seating 100

 

(Sorry for the photos quality. I pulled from online). 

 

Edit: There does appear to be a Marquee but I don't recall it ever working? 

 

 

The only reason I knew this was because I had to drop a college girlfriend off there to watch a performance for who knows what class.

It houses the Contemporary Theater of Ohio (formerly called CATCO) which just celebrated 40 years.  We are subscribers and they put on some great performances with very current and real subject matters!!  You should attend a show sometime! :)

 

"The Last Five Years" is about to open next weekend.

 

I've also attended a few events for BalletMet here in the past.  Not sure if they still use the Davidson theater or not.

 

https://www.thecontemporaryohio.org/

Edited April 17Apr 17 by Gnoraa

CAPA to take over Idea Foundry in partnership with city of Columbus

 

CAPA is planning to take over management of the Idea Foundry in Franklinton in a partnership with the city of Columbus.

 

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts plans to use of the 65,000-square-foot former shoe factory at 421 W. State St. as a performance venue while continuing to operate the makerspaces the Idea Foundry is known for.

 

"All the great things that already happen over there will continue to happen," CAPA CEO Chad Whittington told me.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/04/18/capa-idea-foundry-columbus.html

 

 

Westrich rises along McDowell St

 

From Dodge Park

 

 

 

 

Streetscape upgrades continue to move along in multiple areas across Franklinton.

Had a chance to get a few looks at some of the upgrades on State and on McDowell.

Quite the difference already- and there's still a ways to go as work just started recently on the north side of State and hasn't started yet on the east side of McDowell

13 minutes ago, CbusOrBust said:

Streetscape upgrades continue to move along in multiple areas across Franklinton.

Had a chance to get a few looks at some of the upgrades on State and on McDowell.

Quite the difference already- and there's still a ways to go as work just started recently on the north side of State and hasn't started yet on the east side of McDowell

I love the gravity building in that last shot. Would be great to see some taller buildings similar to that style.

More from Gravity Greenhouse- as window installation is well underway

This neighborhood is really coming together so well. Makes me miss living at Gravity. I really hope that growth continues in both directions of Broad.

20 minutes ago, amped91 said:

This neighborhood is really coming together so well. Makes me miss living at Gravity. I really hope that growth continues in both directions of Broad.

I would love to see some more for sale units come into the area, I think that would really help to solidify the area even more. I’m not talking about the housing that is just a little more west, I want to see some for sale condos pop up right in the general area of the gravity buildings.

These renderings are for 511 W Town St, I don't remember seeing any actual building renderings for this section, but these look decent and will add a lot of infill.

1 hour ago, VintageLife said:

These renderings are for 511 W Town St, I don't remember seeing any actual building renderings for this section, but these look decent and will add a lot of infill.

Do you know if they’ve started on this yet?

1 minute ago, 614love said:

Do you know if they’ve started on this yet?

They have not, it was still a conceptual application.

Exterior work winding down at Starling Yard on Central Ave as crews were recently finishing up landscaping

2 hours ago, CbusOrBust said:

Exterior work winding down at Starling Yard on Central Ave as crews were recently finishing up landscaping

That window selection looks great. Nothing beats the look of an old school, I’m glad they saved it.

Yesterday at Westrich

From Dodge Park

Not really a construction update, but just saw the property at 907 W Broad st, old Florentine Restaurant building and parking lot, is going to sheriff auction in 7 days. This would be a great spot for a new development and hopefully something mixed use comes from it.

The apartments at the Mt Carmel site are wrapping up. There’s a cool pedestrian promenade installed on the south side connecting to the school of nursing (on the right side of the image).

2 hours ago, Pablo said:

The apartments at the Mt Carmel site are wrapping up. There’s a cool pedestrian promenade installed on the south side connecting to the school of nursing (on the right side of the image).

More pedestrian friendly than all of the Peninsula

New 5 story apartment building to begin construction on W Broad.

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/06/02/550-w-broad-street-apartments-franklinton.html

"More apartments are coming to Franklinton, just down the road from the Gravity development on West Broad Street.

Construction on a five-story residence could begin by late summer on the currently vacant lot at 550 W. Broad St., Grant Dolven, a partner at developer Grateful Dev, told Columbus Business First.

Dolven anticipates the building's opening in early 2027.

The ground floor will have 1,400 square feet of retail space and podium parking with 42 spaces. The four residential levels on top will contain 64 apartments.

Dolven does not yet have a retail partner in mind for the commercial space.

The property is sandwiched between two historical sties, the Harrison House and Sullivant Land Office, at 570 W. Broad St., and Engine House No. 6 at 540 W. Broad St."

No renderings yet, but Business First is reporting a 4 story, 75 unit building is proposed for 511 W. Town:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/06/03/apartments-franklinton-walnut-town-benjamin.html

Story Highlights

• Rocky Point Partners plans 75-unit apartment building in Franklinton.

• Benjamin II Apartments will include ground-floor commercial fitness space.

• Project awaits final approval from East Franklinton Review Board

This is roughly the site:

6 hours ago, Pablo said:

No renderings yet, but Business First is reporting a 4 story, 75 unit building is proposed for 511 W. Town:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/06/03/apartments-franklinton-walnut-town-benjamin.html

This is roughly the site:

This is the one I posted just a few back. It looks decent and would fill in the area nicely, but here are some more renderings.

Streetscape upgrades continue along W State St near the Peninsula and Gravity

State and McDowell

And a quick look at McDowell St- as work is now focused on the east side of the street